A mass was held on October 4, 2010 to bless the new Shrine for Blessed Marianne and the renovated chapel at St. Anthony's Motherhouse in Syracuse, NY. Three bishops were in attendance - Presiding at the liturgy marking this event was Bishop Robert Cunningham of the Diocese of Syracuse along with retired auxiliary Bishop Thomas Costello and retired Bishop James Moynihan. Several other priests were also in attendance, as well as the Knights of Columbus.

New Shrine for Blessed Marianne pictured left

In his homily, Bishop Cunningham spoke of St. Francis and Blesssed Marianne saying, “His {St. Francis} mission went far beyond rebuilding the church of San Damiano. …I believe Mother Marianne rebuilt the shattered faith of those who had to leave family and friends and go to Molokai. …Her greatest wealth was serving the needs of others.”

Joining the sisters and associates in the celebration was Kate Mahoney, whose miraculous cure resulted in Mother
Marianne obtaining the title of Blessed. Her parents John and Mary were also present.

Side view of Shrine in photo on right

The OFM Conv. Friars, the first Franciscans in the diocese and the ones who invited the sisters to Syracuse from Philadelphia in 1860, attended as well as the cloistered Dominican Sisters of the Holy Rosary on Court Street. The architects, construction workers, wood crafters and convent maintenance and housekeeping staff, all who worked on the renovation, came to celebrate a job well done.

On October 6, the Blessed Marianne Shrine was once again open to the public and will continue to be open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m.

To see more photos of the celebration, go the the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities website and click on the
'photo gallery' (click here)

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